Page 82 of Love's Home Run

“Are you alright? Do you want me to drive?” asked Ross with concern.

“No, thanks,” she managed. “You stay. Maybe Dani and Brad can take you back home.”

“Sure,” said Brad. “No problem.”

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On the ride home, she allowed her tears to fall. She felt shredded. Whenever the idea of a future together came up, Ross backed away. How was it going to continue if he couldn’t acknowledge their relationship? She wanted a man who was as committed to the idea of being together in the future as she was, a relationship with marriage in mind.

At home, she told herself to hold it together. Nettie and Jason would arrive soon, and their visit was more important than ever for securing a future for her talents. Surely, she should be able to find employment between plans for the café and the Lilac Lake Inn.

Later, when Nettie and Jason arrived, she greeted them with enthusiastic hugs and offered them drinks and a light snack. But after working all day and driving to New Hampshire, they were ready for bed, which was fine with her.

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The morning sun streaking across her bed caused Melissa to open her eyes, feeling drugged from the lack of sleep.

It was still early and quiet in the house. Silently, she got out of bed, slipped on a silk robe, and went barefoot into the kitchen, taking care not to make any noise.

She made coffee and took a cup to her back deck to enjoy the morning moment. She liked to observe nature greeting the day by listening to the songs of birds and, most mornings, seeing brown bunnies hop across her lawn to where her garden was fenced in.

She watched as a bunny tried to get under the chicken wire mesh. He was persistent but made no headway. It was more or less how she felt about her relationship with Ross. No matter how much she wished for a real relationship with him, she couldn’t break through to something that promised a future.

As if she’d conjured him up, Ross entered her vision. He didn’t wave as he walked toward her.

She waited to see what he would do or say.

He opened the screen door and stepped inside. Pulling a chair close to her, he said quietly, “We need to talk. I realize my conversation with Dani upset you. Let me explain.”

“Explain that you want to be friends with benefits?” she asked, unable to stop herself. That thought had been circling her mind.

Surprise widened his eyes. “Why would you say that? You know that’s not true.”

“That’s what it made our relationship seem like. Let’s talk another time. Nettie and Jason are here, and I’m going to be busy with them all day. I need time to think over things.”

Ross let out a long sigh, then stood and moved the chair back in place. “ You’ve got the wrong idea. I get that this isn’t a good time, but we need to have an honest conversation. Let me know when you’re ready. I’m not going to give up on us.”

He left the porch and walked away.

As Melissa was fixing herself a second cup of coffee, Nettie appeared.

“Good morning! How did you sleep?” Melissa asked, handing her a cup of black coffee as if she knew Nettie liked it.

“Very well. That bed is so comfortable. Jason is still sleeping, but I thought that would give us some ‘girl time’ to talk.”

“Come out to the screened-in porch with me. It’s a perfect place for a morning cup of coffee and a chat with a friend. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing the town and meeting some of your friends. Crystal sounds impressive on the phone.”

“She’s worked hard to have a very successful business. I both like and admire her,” said Melissa, thinking how lucky she was to have gotten to know Crystal better.

Nettie took a sip of her coffee and set her cup down. “Between you and me, I think this is a perfect time to ask Jason to make a change. We have the wedding coming up, and because we’ve waited so long, we want to start a family soon. I think we can have a more normal life by getting away from working dinner hours. The restaurant business is tough, as you well know. And knowing our siblings will still be part of the restaurant in Boston takes a lot of pressure off of us.”

“I’ve had so many mixed feelings about my family’s restaurant being destroyed that I get it. One minute, I’m feeling free; the next, sad and at loose ends.”

“What about your neighbor who isn’t just a neighbor anymore? How’s that going?” Nettie asked.

“It’s going nowhere. His family loves the idea of the two of us together, but last night, among a group of friends, Ross made it clear he’s not about to commit to anything. He tried to discuss it with me this morning, but I put him off.” Melissa felt Nettie’s eyes boring into her and shifted in her seat.

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